Scorched (2008 film)
| Company type | Television film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | August 31, 2008 |
| Headquarters | Australia |
| Products | Television film |
Scorched is an Australian TV film that aired on the Nine Network on 31 August 2008. Originally released under the working title Strike Team as a deliberate misdirection due to governmental apprehensions about its subject matter, Scorched earned the International Emmy Award for Digital Program: Fiction in 2009.
Synopsis
Set in the year 2012, Scorched explores themes of climate change and water shortages. After experiencing more than 240 consecutive days without rainfall, Sydney confronts a severe water crisis with just a fortnight's supply remaining. Amidst a declared state of emergency caused by encircling bushfires, a journalist uncovers a covert scheme linked to the disaster.
Plot
In late 2012, Sydney faces an acute water shortage despite the operation of a desalination facility, which NSW Premier Angela Boardman promotes as producing millions of litres daily. The city remains subject to Level 8 water restrictions, heavily impacting its western districts.
Susan Shapiro, a reporter for CPN, delves into the unfolding crisis and secures an interview with Premier Boardman. Behind closed doors, Boardman and her Chief of Staff Tom Daily harbor a compromising secret.
State Operations Commander David Langmore attributes the shortage exclusively to drought conditions. Simultaneously, ER physician Michael Francia copes with an influx of heat-related cases as bushfires ignite around Sydney’s periphery.
Volunteer firefighters, including Langmore’s son Brendan, battle intense flames but suffer losses when their evacuation route is cut off by fire. The Premier declares a state of emergency; Langmore enforces Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act, placing emergency personnel under his command. Fire suppression efforts are hindered by insufficient water pressure.
During mass evacuations, family strains emerge for Francia when his stepdaughter Emily seeks shelter but later sustains injuries near the fire zone. Reporting from hazardous areas, Shapiro uncovers political graft involving Boardman’s undisclosed agreement with Argon Energy that grants them unlimited fresh water in exchange for free electricity and campaign contributions.
An explosion involving a gas cylinder occurs at Francia’s hospital workplace, causing injuries though Francia remains unharmed. Lizzie Francia evacuates her children aboard Shapiro’s news helicopter.
Langmore advocates using desalinated water to fight the fires; however, Boardman refuses this option, compelling reliance on corrosive saltwater. Eventually, the fires are brought under control.
Shapiro and her cameraman Teddy perish during an industrial blast while reporting but leave behind critical evidence exposing the Premier’s corruption. At a press conference, Langmore publicly confronts Boardman; she denies wrongdoing but flees after he reveals video proof.
The story concludes with Boardman’s resignation, Shapiro receiving a posthumous Walkley Award for investigative journalism, and Sydney still awaiting rainfall eight weeks following the catastrophe.
Cast
- Cameron Daddo as David Langmore (State Operations Commander, National Fire Service)
- Rachael Carpani as Susan Shapiro (Journalist, CPN News)
- Vince Colosimo as Dr. Michael Francia (Baulkham Hills Public Hospital)
- Georgie Parker as Angela Boardman (Premier of New South Wales)
- Libby Tanner as Lizzie Francia (wife of Dr. Michael Francia)
- Bob Morley as Brendan Langmore (son of David Langmore, volunteer firefighter)
- Alexandra Fowler as Kate Langmore (wife of David Langmore)
- Les Hill as Tom Daily (Chief of Staff to the Premier)
- Brittany Byrnes as Deanna Pearce (Brendan Langmore's girlfriend)
- Anita Hegh as Linda (National Fire Service officer)
- Kathryn Beck as Emily Francia (daughter of Dr. Michael Francia)
- Ben Oxenbould as Lenny (volunteer firefighter)
- Simon Maiden as Teddy (cameraman for Susan Shapiro)
- Mark McCann as Darren
- Brendan Donoghue as Gabe
- Justin Rosniak as policeman
- Salvatore Coco as Richard (National Fire Service officer)
- Karl Beattie, Lucia Mundell, Kate Bell, Zachary Garred, Drew Jarvis, Kate Box, Russell Dykstra, and Nathan Page in supporting roles
Related media
Prior to the telemovie's airing, a strategic online viral marketing initiative was implemented, launching several websites and YouTube channels designed to highlight significant events, organizations, and characters depicted in the production.
The official platform was crafted to resemble the homepage of the imaginary 2012 news outlet CPN (Cross Platform News). Other promotional websites represented fictional entities including New South Wales Premier Angela Boardman, the advocacy group RAWT (Residents Against Water Theft), as well as companies Argon Energy and H20 water transport.
Additionally, audiences were able to view online prequel and sequel webisodes and engage with characters through integrated Facebook features.